TWISTING BLUES

[Extended Instrumental Intro] [Blues harmonica plays alone] [Twanging guitar answers] [Walking bass and brushed drums enter] [Honky-tonk piano completes the opening theme] [Verse 1 – Raspy Male Baritone] Woke up this morning with a cloud above my head My shoes felt heavy and I nearly stayed in bed Then the radio whispered, “Boy, you’ve got to move” So I shook off my worries and stepped into the groove [Female Trio Response] Shake them loose! Turn them round! Leave those blues upon the ground! [Refrain – Male and Female Trio] I’ve got the twisting blues But they won’t keep me down I twist them to the ceiling Then I spin them all around [Female Trio] Bye-bye, blues! We’re feeling fine! [Male] Every little twist puts some sunshine in my mind! [Harmonica Solo] [Expressive blues harmonica] [Guitar answers each phrase] [Female trio adds soft oohs] [Short snare fill] [Verse 2 – Male Baritone] I met a smiling lady in a bright blue dress She said, “Your gloomy dancing needs a little less” She took me by the hand and showed me what to do One turn to the left—and away my sorrow flew [Female Trio Response] Turn that way! Now come back! Keep that happy rhythm on the track! [Refrain – Full Ensemble] I’ve got the twisting blues But they won’t keep me down I twist them to the ceiling Then I spin them all around [Female Trio] Bye-bye, blues! We’re feeling fine! [Male] Every little twist puts some sunshine in my mind! [Electric Guitar Solo] [Clean twanging blues guitar] [Guitar bends and rhythmic double-stops] [Walking bass continues] [Hammond organ adds warm chords] [Short guitar flourish] [Honky-Tonk Piano Solo] [Rolling right-hand piano melody] [Left hand answers the upright bass] [Handclaps join every second bar] [Piano glissando into the next verse] [Verse 3 – Male Baritone] The saxophone was laughing, the piano called my name The drummer changed the rhythm and we changed it back again The whole room started moving from the doorway to the band Even Mister Misery was twisting hand in hand [Female Trio Response] Look at him! There he goes! Even Mister Misery is dancing on his toes! [Blues Break – Call and Response] [Music drops to bass and finger snaps] [Male] What do you do when the sky turns grey? [Female Trio] Twist those blues away! [Male] What do you do when your smile won’t stay? [Female Trio] Twist those blues away! [Male] What do you do when the day feels slow? [Female Trio] Turn up the music and go, go, go! [Tenor Saxophone Solo] [Warm tenor saxophone begins softly] [Saxophone grows playful and energetic] [Harmonica joins for call-and-response] [Piano, guitar and organ build underneath] [Full-band brass accent] [Rhythm Break] [Walking upright bass solo] [Brushes change to crisp snare] [Handclaps and tambourine answer] [Short drum and tom fill] [Full groove returns] [Final Refrain – Key Change] I had the twisting blues But they couldn’t make me stay I turned them into rhythm And I danced them all away! [Female Trio] Bye-bye, blues! The sun will shine! [Male] Every little twist puts some happiness in time! [Final Refrain – Full Ensemble] No more twisting blues No more looking at the ground We’re dancing with the piano While the sax goes round and round! [Female Trio] Hey now, baby! Feeling fine! [Male and Female Trio] Every little twist puts some sunshine in your mind! [Extended Instrumental Outro] [Harmonica repeats the opening melody] [Electric guitar answers] [Honky-tonk piano plays a final rolling phrase] [Tenor saxophone rises above the band] [Female trio sings soft “bye-bye blues” harmonies] [Drums and handclaps gradually reduce] [Classic blues turnaround] [One clean final band chord] [End]